8/12: The Cauldron

[BenC1357]

If this sub forum is going to be left open we're going to put it to good use. I'll try to start a thread about each game to talk about stuff section related. I would like to make these a place for constructive criticism. So give good feedback, don't be rude about it and those that the feedback is pointed toward try to not take it personally.

The section was as big as I've seen it in a while. After games in heat and rain we finally got decent weather (it's all relative, but it was 10+ degree cooler than the last few games) and our section's size reaped the benefits. It's always awesome to look back and see people more than 10 rows back.

With the bigger section we again had issues keeping the back and the front parts of the section together. Alan and John, you're responsible for this. Also, someone in the front has to be aware of the fact that you're not on beat with the rest of the section. You can't just aimlessly do a chant and not keep your ears open and hear what the people behind you are doing. It's as simple as paying attention. Alan/John, you guys can't relax on even a single chant or it gets off beat or the front and back get off from one another. Communicate with one another constantly and be aware of what is going on. All you have to do is listen to the people behind you and watch the people in front. You can tell where the people in front are at in a chant based on their clapping and/or heads bobbing since you can't hear them. If you notice this quickly you can correct it and save the cheer. Other than that, great job.

Sam came and suggested that we leave the seats right next to the aisle for children. While I'm not sure how feasible that is I will say that the adults should be a bit less selfish and let the kids get seats where they can see the game. In other words, help the kids out.

John sold 10 scarves inside the game. Great job! I'm glad you did it, because I don't really want to deal with that inside. I think I did enough work selling those back in March and April. :)


Last, but certainly not least, there are a LOT of people that stand in the section that don't post on these boards. I have a feeling a few of them lurk though and I'm asking them to start giving some input. This section is for everyone, not just the few that post the most about it or do the outside work. Your advice and opinions are appreciated.

[szazzy]

Whoever all the people were behind me were awesome. I think we're getting a lot more people who when they come to a game (might not be that often), make it a point to sit close or stand with us.

[BenC1357]

Whoever all the people were behind me were awesome. I think we're getting a lot more people who when they come to a game (might not be that often), make it a point to sit close or stand with us.
Oh yeah, definitely! There are people who don't associate with us at all outside the stadium but inside they are there every game. That is something I talked to Mike about last night; turn around and remember some faces. There are lots of people that are in the section every single game that never post on BigSoccer or attend tailgates. But they are full fledged Cauldronites nonetheless.
I've seen him before, but that black dude who stood to the left of Alan is awesome. He chants the whole time and has the vocal chords to rival John and I.

[szazzy]

Maybe we ought to do some in-game advertising of our outside game activities. I hate asking people if they use Bigsoccer because I feel like a J-Dub doin the rounds. We need to get them to tailgates and watch parties.

[Wiz fa shiz]

Last night I was sitting lower than normal because i got into the stadium earlier. I sat behind Jim and next to a black guy and his family, I think his name may be Tony. The reason we don't do the Cauldron pregame is twofold really

1. We have our own ritual; if it's not too sweltering we grill out (and the Swede can grill a hell of a steak) and if it's unbearably hot, we go to Salvatore's.

2. We may be just a smidge anti-social. Don't take it personally.

I do try to go to watch parties, the problem is that the Swede will not watch road games unless it's on national TV and therefore he can watch it without effort or expense. He considers the Wizards a substitute because he is unable to watch his Djurgardens or Chelsea in the US; I guess the Wizards are sort of like methadone for him... He does care though, just not as much as he does about his beloved DIF and Blues. Anyway, I just feel awkward going to a watch party by myself so I don't always go. But I always enjoy chanting with you guys in the Cauldron. Forza Wizards!

[Spoon]

Last night I was sitting lower than normal because i got into the stadium earlier. I sat behind Jim and next to a black guy and his family, I think his name may be Tony.



That is right it was Tony and I was a row behind him with my wife and kids.



Hey Ben maybe it is time for the Mic to go bye-bye. That way we can move Alan and the drum up on the second row and then get everyone grouped together in a more orginized fashion. That way everyone is on the same page.

[Roush]

Hey Ben maybe it is time for the Mic to go bye-bye. That way we can move Alan and the drum up on the second row and then get everyone grouped together in a more orginized fashion. That way everyone is on the same page.

Absolutely. The microphone has never been used effectively, but it has never really hindered us until this season. As our section continues to grow, I think it might be best if we asked for it to go away for the Dallas game as an experiment.

[BenC1357]

I think Alan should be down lower as it is. That way the people behind him will move lower. They don't want to be in front of it.

[szazzy]

Last night I was sitting lower than normal because i got into the stadium earlier. I sat behind Jim and next to a black guy and his family, I think his name may be Tony. The reason we don't do the Cauldron pregame is twofold really

1. We have our own ritual; if it's not too sweltering we grill out (and the Swede can grill a hell of a steak) and if it's unbearably hot, we go to Salvatore's.

2. We may be just a smidge anti-social. Don't take it personally.

I do try to go to watch parties, the problem is that the Swede will not watch road games unless it's on national TV and therefore he can watch it without effort or expense. He considers the Wizards a substitute because he is unable to watch his Djurgardens or Chelsea in the US; I guess the Wizards are sort of like methadone for him... He does care though, just not as much as he does about his beloved DIF and Blues. Anyway, I just feel awkward going to a watch party by myself so I don't always go. But I always enjoy chanting with you guys in the Cauldron. Forza Wizards!

Do you really call him the Swede all the time? :D

The most important thing is to be there cheering on gameday. You shouldn't feel weird about showing up alone if you can't get friends to go to watch parties and the such (a common problem for many). The whole point is you're going to the watch party to watch with your friends from the Cauldron. Introduce yourself at the next game or event you make.

[KCBearcat]

I think Alan should be down lower as it is. That way the people behind him will move lower. They don't want to be in front of it.
Doesn't bother me any... Just didn't want to be under the flag when it comes up... I kinda go nuts when we score and don't want to make anybody deaf when I do so... :)

[BenC1357]

Doesn't bother me any... Just didn't want to be under the flag when it comes up... I kinda go nuts when we score and don't want to make anybody deaf when I do so... :)
I saw move down to row four or five. The reason there is a gap in front of you is that people don't want the drum banging in their ear. But if you move down to row four the people will have a choice to 1) stay in their beloved front row seats or 2) move up to row five and be behind the drum.
People aren't going to give up their front row seats and this will create less of a void between the front and the back.

[szazzy]

5 might be good. Placed a little more towards the aisle, to make room for the mic?

[KCBearcat]

The drum will sit in row 4, I'll stand in row 5... that work for everybody?

[BenC1357]

The drum will sit in row 4, I'll stand in row 5... that work for everybody?
And so it is!!!

I agree with Jeff though, stay toward the aisle.

[szazzy]

And so it is!!!

I agree with Jeff though, stay toward the aisle.

It's hard to tell because of weather conditions how effective the new setup was. Any thoughts? I liked it better myself. I thought the Cauldron did a good job on Sunday.

[j_m_t]

It's hard to tell because of weather conditions how effective the new setup was. Any thoughts? I liked it better myself. I thought the Cauldron did a good job on Sunday.
i dont know how it was compared to the past...

since i was up at the top of the section most of the last match i can say that i understood about 85% of the chants...wish i could be more spicific on which ones i couldnt understand, but hey i had other matters on my mind

the scott sealy chant sounded pretty good when it was broken out as well as the envy our johnson...seams like one of the wizads chant i coulndt understand parts of.

well ill remember which ones after tonights match just remember to ask me later

[BenC1357]

I wasn't able to be there last night, but I liked having Alan down lower Sunday night. As expected people still stood right behind him, so we only had a row or so empty instead of the 4-5 we used to have.
Alan, I say stay where you were Sunday. I think it works better and will really help the section at games with higher attendance. But that's just my opinion.

[the_cyclones]

I wasn't able to be there last night, but I liked having Alan down lower Sunday night. As expected people still stood right behind him, so we only had a row or so empty instead of the 4-5 we used to have.
Alan, I say stay where you were Sunday. I think it works better and will really help the section at games with higher attendance. But that's just my opinion.


It was pretty good again tonight.

[Roush]

It was pretty good again tonight.

With the exception of the three mostly-empty rows surrounding him.

I'm of the opinion that the drum either needs to be in row 1, two seats from the edge, or in the middle of row 20. Too many people are avoiding the drum and it looks bad from in the section. I can only imagine what it looks like from across the stadium.

[PezJunkie]

With the exception of the three mostly-empty rows surrounding him.

I'm of the opinion that the drum either needs to be in row 1, two seats from the edge, or in the middle of row 20. Too many people are avoiding the drum and it looks bad from in the section. I can only imagine what it looks like from across the stadium.

Agreed... moving up/down a row or two doesn't help because you still end up with a 3 row hole around the drum. Which doesn't help at all with keeping the front & back of the section together.